During this past week Greenpeace activists have taken on retailers worldwide calling for an end to single-use plastics on store shelves. From Colombia to Hong Kong, Canada to Switzerland and beyond retailers need to stop selling us “throwaway” plastics and invest in refill and reuse systems, because there is no “away”. This powerful message was delivered in many ways globally this week by Greenpeace activists demonstrating plastic-free shopping outside of stores, through actions in the aisles, and by the delivery of petitions to retailer HQs.
The Reuse Revolution is here, and it’s unstoppable. People are taking action, all over the world, in their homes and communities to replace destructive throwaway plastic with reusable solutions. Over 5 million people have asked companies and governments to take the necessary, urgent measures to join this Reuse Revolution and to truly fight the plastic pollution crisis the world is facing. But so far, companies are mostly pushing false “solutions”—switching to other throwaway materials like paper or bioplastic, and relying more heavily on the already broken recycling system—to justify their addiction to single-use packaging. It is time to shift from single-use to reuse, and retailers have a key role to play in this change.
Retailers must help solve the plastic pollution crisis through transparency of their plastic addiction, beginning with the immediate removal of single-use plastic from their shelves and a substantial investment and commitment to innovative refill systems. They are the link between consumers and the companies making the products and have the power to push the brands and partner with them to drive change. One thing is clear, our voices are being heard, but to get real solutions from retailers we need your voice and actions too. Let’s make single-use plastics a thing of the past. Will you join us? #ReuseRevolution
Hong Kong
![Plastic Free Mobile Supermarket Truck in Hong Kong © Tai Ngai Lung / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/9d28027c-gp0stu7dv_web_size.jpg)
Canada
![Reuse Revolution Global Refill Week in Montreal © Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/f31148b6-gp0stu71r_web_size.jpg)
Taiwan
![Plastic Free Demonstration Store in Taiwan © Greenpeace / mego lin](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/82f0d779-gp0stu6ws_web_size-1.jpg)
After releasing a Taiwan Retailer Plastic Reduction Ranking Report, Greenpeace activists in Taiwan created a “Plastic Free Demonstration store” for 3 weeks in 2 different cities demonstrating solutions for groceries without single-use plastic packaging © Greenpeace / mego lin
Beijing
!["Bring Your Own Cup" Plastic Free Event in Beijing, China © Dong Li / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/6759bd30-gp0stu5rm_web_size.jpg)
Switzerland
![Stop Single Use Packaging Activity in Switzerland© Greenpeace / Ex-Press / Miriam Künzli](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/33f7daa1-gp0stu66t_web_size.jpg)
Greenpeace activists in Switzerland confronted supermarket Aldi Suisse on their single-use plastic pollution, using refillable bottles to write “Zukunft” [future]. © Greenpeace / Ex-Press / Miriam Künzli
Germany
![Refill Day in Germany © Martin Storz / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/e2c5af37-gp0stu6eu_web_size.jpg)
United States
![Plastics Petition Delivery to Target Headquarters © Annabelle Marcovici / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/d8125e55-gp0stu7i7_web_size.jpg)
Colombia
![Plastic Monster Activity in Bogota © Juliana Melo / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/385bcb13-untitled-295-1024x683.jpg)
Italy
![Reuse Revolution Global Refill Week in Italy © Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/81154bcf-gp0stu7gs_web_size.jpg)
Mexico
![Plastic Banquet at the Senate of the Republic in Mexico © Ilse Huesca Vargas / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/11/98985ad8-gp0stu2ow_web_size.jpg)
Robin Flaharty is the Global Resource Specialist for the Plastic-Free Future Campaign at Greenpeace USA.
![Plastic Waste in Verde Island, Philippines. © Noel Guevara / Greenpeace Plastic Waste in Verde Island, Philippines. © Noel Guevara / Greenpeace](https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2019/03/530878d8-gp0stt3fm-1024x683.jpg)
Ask world leaders to support a strong global plastic treaty that addresses the whole life cycle of plastic.